Exercise Bersama Lima 2026 (XBL 26) is a Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise involving assets and personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Hosted by Singapore, the opening ceremony was jointly officiated by Singapore Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, and Malaysian Joint Forces Commander Lieutenant General Dato’ Sri Tengku Muhammad Fauzi bin Tengku Ibrahim. Representatives from the other FPDA nations were also in attendance to witness the ceremony.
Held from 5 to 23 October 2026, this year’s exercise involved approximately 1,900 personnel, including staff from the combined exercise headquarters, as well as 42 aircraft, seven ships and one submarine. Naval assets conducted serials such as manoeuvring exercises, naval gun firing, air defence exercises, boarding and diving serials, while the Air Forces exercised dissimilar air combat training, complex air defence scenarios, maritime air surveillance, air-to-air refuelling, fighter landaway, and casualty evacuation training. The land forces conducted professional exchanges and force integration training that culminated in a field exercise involving both jungle and urban environments.
XBL26 marks the inaugural deployment of land Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) by all participating nations and the participation of the RSN’s Invincible-class submarine. Together with the involvement of fifth-generation fighter aircraft such as the six F-35As from Australia, and P-8A maritime patrol aircraft from both Australia and New Zealand, XBL26 provided valuable opportunities for FPDA member-nations’ militaries to undertake more complex training and derive greater professional value. XBL26 also synchronised exercise scenarios between the command post and the various field training exercises to enhance operational realism. To keep pace with contemporary security developments and ensure the FPDA remains relevant, the exercise included Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) on a variety of topics, which ranged from diving safety, Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal (MEOD), underwater searches, to medical casualty care.
Exercise Director, RSN’s Fleet Commander Colonel Bertram Ang highlighted the importance of the FPDA exercise as it marks its 55th anniversary, during the closing ceremony. He said, “The exercise has reaffirmed our nations’ shared commitment to strengthening interoperability, deepening professional relationships, and building the mutual trust and confidence needed for our forces to operate effectively together when called upon. These are enduring outcomes that go beyond the challenges of any single exercise, and I am confident that the lessons and relationships forged during Bersama Lima 26 will serve us well in the years ahead.”
The FPDA was formed in 1971 and has evolved over the years to adapt to the changing regional security landscape. The SAF’s participation in FPDA exercises, including Exercise Suman Warrior and Exercise Bersama Shield, is valuable as these exercises promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the SAF and militaries from other member nations.